James J. Dunn

James J. Dunn, D.D.S., 88, a resident of Jupiter, Fla., and formerly of Riverside Drive, Wilkes-Barre, passed away Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at Jupiter Medical Center.

Born April 13, 1925, in Larksville, he was a son of the late Thomas F. and Lillian Dougherty Dunn of Larksville and Pittsburgh.

A graduate of Larksville High School, James earned his pre-dental degree from the University of Scranton. He advanced his education by earning a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the Temple University School of Dentistry.

Upon graduation, James was commissioned as an officer of the U.S. Navy and proudly served in the Dental Corps during the Korean War. Subsequent to his service in the Armed Forces, Dr. Dunn earned his certificate in the specialty of orthodontics from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine.

Dr. Dunn prominently practiced the specialty of orthodontics in Wilkes-Barre for many years. He served as past president of the Luzerne County Dental Society and Third District Dental Society. James was affiliated with many professional organizations, to include being a life member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, the Pennsylvania Association of Orthodontists and the Pennsylvania American Dental Association, to which he also served as a delegate for many years.

A consummate civic leader, Dr. Dunn was a member of Our Lady of Victory Parish, the Westmoreland Club, a former member of the Wilkes-Barre Rotary, and president emeritus of the Susquehannock Club of Potter County. He was also a member of the Harveys Lake American Legion Post 967, where he was honored for 50 years of continuous membership.

His wife, Helen Claire Roan Dunn, granddaughters, Megan Brice and Kaitlin Claire Marie Brice, and a brother, Thomas F. Dunn, preceded him in death.

He will be greatly missed by his children, James D. and his wife, Diane Duffy Dunn, Riverview, Fla.; William J. and his wife, Linda Kearn Dunn, Shavertown; Mary Ellen and her husband, Michael L. Brice, Summerville, S.C.; Thomas W. and his wife, Claudia Cardenes Dunn, Brownsville, Texas; and Lee Ann and her husband, Timothy J. Connolly Jr., Edwardsville; grandchildren, James D. Dunn, Erin Claire Dunn and her husband, James Liston, Patrick J. Dunn, Michael L. Brice, Capt. William J. Dunn Jr., Esq., Jennifer Claudia Bridgid Dunn, Matthew S. Dunn, Timothy J. Connolly III, Esq., Meaghan Claire Connolly and her husband, Steven Ubaldini Jr., Thomas W. Dunn Jr., Sara Marie Claire Dunn and Liam S. Dunn; seven great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

A celebration of James' life will be held Saturday, with a Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. in the Church of Our Lady of Victory, Lakeside Drive, Harveys Lake.

Entombment will be held in the Mary, Mother of God Mausoleum at St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at McLaughlin's − The Family Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre.

Permanent messages and memories may be shared with James' family at celebratehislife.com.